Martin Grotelueschen, 87, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Wednesday, October 14, 2020, at Emerald Care and Rehabilitation in Columbus.

The funeral service will be held on Monday, October 19 at 10:30 AM, at Christ Lutheran Church, rural Columbus with Rev. Brad Birtell officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery with military honors by The American Legion, Hartman Post 84 Honor Guard. Visitation will on Monday from 9:30 AM until service time at the church. There will be a family prayer service on Monday at 10:15 AM at the church. In lieu of flowers or plants, memorials are suggested to Christ Lutheran Church or School. The service will be broadcast live on Gass Haney Funeral Home Facebook page.

Martin L. Grotelueschen was born on March 27, 1933, near Leigh, Nebraska, to Emil Henry and Rosa (Wilke) Grotelueschen. He was baptized and confirmed at Christ Lutheran Church. He attended Christ Lutheran School, Wilson Jr. High, and graduated from Leigh High School in 1952. Martin was drafted into the United States Army on May 12, 1953, serving for nearly two years during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged on May 6, 1955. Martin completed basic training in El Paso, Texas, and served in Washington D. C., Fort Meade, Maryland, and south of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (NORAD); protecting against incoming missiles. When Martin returned home from serving his country, he began farming with his brother Clarence and his father Emil near Leigh, where he retired in 2006 and moved to Columbus.

Martin was a lifelong member of Christ Lutheran Church and served there in many capacities. Besides farming, he enjoyed spending time with his extended family of many nieces and nephews that came to visit with his sisters and brothers-in-laws. He had to deal with a lot of pranks and shenanigans. His only request was a "double batch" of chocolate chip cookies.

Martin is survived by:
Brother-in-law: Fredrick Graft of Fort Wayne, IN
22 Nephews & Nieces:
Leland (Jeanette) Frese; Paul Frese; Rachel (Larry) Holle; Carmen (Raymond) Covington;John (Susan) Bock; Arden (Debbie) Bock; Doris Minor; Nadine (Terry) Richard; Barbara (Ernie) Caruso; Steven (Sharon) Mueller; Judith (Peter) Dabertin; Roxanne (Andrew) Smith; Rev. Peter Mueller; Gwen (Gene) Bedient; Miriam (Gregg) Roth; Bryce (Tammy) Grotelueschen; Myron Grotelueschen; Susan (Charles) Farris; Karen (Randy) Einem; Sharon (Chuck) Leuenberger; Jean (Randy) Beery; Mark (Judy) Graft

Martin was preceded in death by:
Parents: Emil & Rosa Grotelueschen
Brothers: Gilbert Grotelueschen; Clarence Grotelueschen; Eugene (Maxine) Grotelueschen
Sisters: Anna (Reinhold) Bock; Velma (LeRoy) Frese; Enda (Les) Pieper; Evelyn (Paul) Mueller; Rose Marie Graft
Nieces: Infant Eloise Bock; Diane K. Graft; Rachel Frese

Service Folder Information
To everything there is a season,

And a time to every purpose

under the heaven.

A time to plant and

a time to harvest ...
Taken from Ecclesiastes, Chapter 3




As God sows and reaps

Each tiny seed in the soil,

He cares for us from first light

And far beyond our earthly toil.





In Loving Memory Of

Martin Grotelueschen

Born
Monday, March 27, 1933
Colfax County, Nebraska

Entered Into Rest
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
Columbus, Nebraska

Service
Monday, October 19, 2020 10:30 AM
Christ Lutheran Church
Rural Columbus, Nebraska

Officiant
Rev. Brad Birtell

Music
Ann Cattau – Organist & Soloist
"How Great Thou Art"
"Amazing Grace, My Chains Are Gone"
Luther Bakenhus – Soloist
"In The Garden"
Congregational Hymns
"Jesus Savior, Pilot Me"
"I Know That My Redeemer Lives"


Casket Bearers
Bryce Grotelueschen
Arden Bock
Myron Grotelueschen
Mark Graft
Kyle Grotelueschen
Gregg Roth

Interment
Christ Lutheran Cemetery
Rural Columbus, Nebraska

Military Honors
The American Legion Hartman Post 84 Honor Guard